Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), also called e-cigarettes, personal vaporizers, vape pens, e-cigars, e-hookah, or vaping devices, are products that produce an aerosolized mixture containing flavored liquids and nicotine that is inhaled by the user. ENDS can resemble traditional tobacco products like cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or common gadgets like flashlights, flash drives, or pens.

These products are exploding in popularity, and are being used by both adolescents and adults. ENDS are now estimated to be a $1.5 billion market, and are projected to grow 24.2% per year through 20181. In 2015, more teens used e-cigarettes than regular cigarettes- 10% of 8th graders, 14% of 10th graders, and 16% of 12th graders used e-cigarettes, compared to 4%, 6%, and 11% for cigarettes, respectively2.

Quick Facts about ENDS

ENDS contain a liquid solution that is usually flavored. Flavors, which are appealing to children, often are things like peach schnapps, java jolt, piña colada, peppermint, bubble gum, or chocolate

ENDS are not yet regulated nor approved for smoking cessation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the long-term health effects to users and bystanders are still unknown. Due to the lack of regulation, the chemical compounds in an ENDS device can vary between brands3

These devices mimic conventional cigarette use and help re-normalize smoking behaviors

ENDS are not approved for smoking cessation, and the long-term health effects to users and bystanders are skill unknown. The chemical compounds in an ENDS device can vary between brands.3

In 2014, poison centers in the US reported 3,783 exposures to e-cigarette devices and nicotine liquid, compared to only 1,543 exposures in 2013. In 2015, 3,073 exposures were reported4

Some states have enacted legislation to require child-resistant packaging, and a bill to do this at the national level was supported by the AAP before being signed into law by President Obama in early 2016.

ENDS users should always keep e-cigarettes and liquid nicotine locked up and out of the reach of children and follow the specific disposal instructions on the label5

In 2016, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD MBA released a report, “E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General.” The report concluded that youth should not use e-cigarettes due to the health effects on users and on others exposed to secondhand e-cigarette aerosol.6

Physician fact sheet on ENDS*
*Please note: this fact sheet has not yet been updated to reflect recent changes in FDA regulation. Please see "ENDS Reference Guide for Clinicians" below for updated content.
This fact sheet, based on common recommendations from the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the American Medical Association, discusses the facts about and harms of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and stresses the use of evidence-based cessation resources for those who want to quit smoking.

4) American Association of Poison Control Centers. January 31, 2016. Electronic Cigarettes and Liquid Nicotine Data. Available at https://aapcc.s3.amazonaws.com/files/library/E-cig__Nicotine_Web_Data_through_01.2016.pdf. Accessed February 10, 2016.

5) American Association of Poison Control Centers. E-Cigarette Devices and Liquid Nicotine. Available at http://www.aapcc.org/alerts/e-cigarettes/. Accessed October 16, 2015.

6) US Department of Health and Human Services (2016). E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA. US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health.